Base construction for support of table structure or the like

ABSTRACT

A base construction for supporting a table structure or the like includes a first elongated rod member, provided for stabilizing the structure in two directions, and includes at its midpoint an aperture therethrough, being counterbored at both ends, and into which a pin may be inserted for retaining and securing a pair of additional rod members, one of each which inserts within the counterbores for fastening to the proximate end of said projecting pin. In this arrangement, the structure is stabilized in the two other perpendicular directions. An additional aperture is provided vertically of the elongated rod member, at a central location, and into which the centerpost of a table structure, chair, or other item of furniture may insert and be fastened for its retention in place and erection of the item of furniture.

ilnited States Patent [191 Baum [ BASE CONSTRUCTION FOR SUPPORT OF TABLE STRUCTURE OR THE LIKE [75] Inventor: Elliot W. Baum, Maryland Heights,

[73] Assignee: Berco Industries, St. Louis, Mo.

[22] Filed: Dec. 13, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 424,188

[52] US. Cl. 248/188.7; 108/150; 403/173;

' 403/217 [51] Int. Cl. F16m 11/20 [58] Field of Search 248/1887, 158; 297/349;

108/150, 58; 403/346, 382, 263, 403, 173, 178, 260,174, 175,171, 217, 219; 312/254; 52/758 A, 753 E, 753 R, 753 D, 665

[451 July 22, 1975 Primary Examiner-James T. McCall Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Paul M. Denk [57] ABSTRACT A base construction for supporting a table structure or the like includes a first elongated rod member, provided for stabilizing the structure in two directions, and includes at its midpoint an aperture therethrough, being counterbored at both ends, and into which a pin may be inserted for retaining and securing a pair of additional rod members, one of each which inserts within the counterbores for fastening to the proximate end of said projecting pin. In this arrangement, the structure is stabilized in the two other perpendicular directions. An additional aperture is provided vertically of the elongated rod member, at a central loca tion, and into which the centerpost of a table structure, chair, or other item of furniture may insert and be fastened for its retention in place and erection of the item of furniture.

11 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures BASE CONSTRUCTION FOR SUPPORT OF TABLE STRUCTURE OR THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to furniture structure, and more particularly, pertains to the formation of a base for use in support of the centerpost of a table, chair, or the like.

Various types of supporting structure for stablizing the pedestal or centerpost of a table, chair, or other form of furniture have been devised in the prior art. Generally, such structures form the support for the pedestal type table, and usually four extensions are ar ranged radially from the bottom of the pedestal, the extensions usually being welded together and to the pedestal to provide such support. Examples of this type of furniture base construction are too numerous to cite herein, generally they can be found in any one ofa variety of sales brochures or catalogs of the various furniture companies, and particularly those who construct furniture the supports of which are fabricated from steel and other metals, as for kitchen type furniture, or for the more contemporary style of furniture.

Certain pedestal type tables, particularly of the folding type, have been devised wherein the feet portion of the support are pivotally mounted with respect to each other so that they can be folded into a generally lineal dimension for folding continguously against the underside of the table. This type of pedestal support is shown in the U.S. Pat. to English, No. 2,576,287. In addition, the US. Pat. to Dirksen, No. 3,312,477, upon a movable support chair like structure, discloses a base construction that includes a single length of tubular stock having a pair of perpendicularly projecting legs extending from the bottom of its upright, being welded thereat, to provide a four point type of support when the chair rests upon the ground.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide a base construction, for a table, chair, or the like, and wherein the various components of the base structure may be fabricated from a lineal length of stock, necessitating only a single cut of its various components, and their assembly and retention together without necessitating any welding or further polishing as heretofore required in the formation of similar type bases.

It is another object of this invention to provide a base construction wherein the various rod members forming the base structure can be intermated together and retained by fastening means in a single final assembly process.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a base construction for an item of furniture wherein the various rod members of the base interconnect and insert within preformed counterbores so as to provide enhanced structural rigidity in the support of the entire table structure.

Another object of this invention to provide a simplified form of base structure for a table or chair in which its various components can be easily mass produced and fabricated in an assembly line fashion into a completed product for immediate shipment.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a means for stabilized mounting of a furniture pedestal to its base structure wherein contact between the components is symetrically located so as to maintain said pedestal upright and erect, and resistant to the incident of overturn.

These and other objects will become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the summary of this invention, in addition to analyzing the description of the preferred embodiment in view of the drawmgs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention principally relates to the base structure for a pedestal type table, chair, or other item of furniture. The construction of this base structure is designed not only to provide enhanced rigidity to the item of furniture it supports, but thought has been given to the simplification of its component manufacture and assemble so that reduced man hours can be attained in the production of the finished product.

As previously described in the background of this invention, usually pedestal tables that are fabricated from solid or tubular metal stock include a series of four rods of sufficient length to stabilize the table in four directions, obviously, generally, at radial intervals, and these members are usually welded in place to the bot- .tom' of the centerpost of the table in its final assembly. This comprises a piecemeal type of fabrication, consuming costly man hours of time, but in addition, where the table base may be formed from a stock that may be coated or plated, such as chrome plated, or perhaps even painted, the welding process that assembles the various components of the base together usually leaves rather unsightly scorch marks or weld accumulations which require repolishing or grinding to provide a near finish appearance, and then once again replated or coated to provide a final finish. This consumes time and added materials in the manufacture of this type of an item, and significantly converts what this day and age should be a mass produced product to one that, in the end, is almost custom fabricated and assembled.

The present invention contemplates the problems inherent in the present assembly of base constructions or structures, and herein has designed components for a base that may be prefinished to their final desired finish in stock form, and then cut to particular specifications to provide for their mating or assembly into final form, without requiring any further finishing, plating, or coating of the completed product. Hence, the table structure made under the teaching of this invention is well adapted to mass production, in the assembly line fashion as previously commented.

The base construction of this invention includes a length of a rod member that may provide furniture support in at least two opposing directions, with said rod member generally being formed from solid stock, having an aperture or hole drilled or milled diametrically through it, preferable at its midpoint, and then being counterbored concentrically of its just previously drilled hole, with the counterbores being of a dimension approximating the diameter of the said rod member. A pair of additional rod members are provided preferably from the same stock from which the first rod member is cut, and these pairs of additional rod members, each having a length of approximately one half of the first rod member, are inserted within the counterbores of said first rod member and retained therein by means of a pin or other form of threaded or adhesive engagement. Hence, with the installation of this pair of additional rod members to the first rod member, four directional support is formed for the base structure, since the members are arranged at ninety degree intervals. Another aperture is provided approximately vertically throughv the upper midsection of thefirst rod member, and the table pedestalfmay be retained to the formed base structure by means of threaded engagement into this vertically disposed aperture, or by other forms of fastening. Preferably, a screw, bolt, or other form of engagement between the" vertically disposed aperture and the downwardly disposed end of the centerpost is provided, which facilitates final assembly of the product. As previously described, this formof assembly of a base structure to a centerpost can be done under rapid assembly line procedures, and eliminates the necessity for use of any form of welded engagement between two such components which would then require the usual additional refinishing as previously described. n

Whenthe centerpost or pedestal of the item of furniture is fixed to, its base as previously described, the downward end of the centerpost will snugly rest and make contactat approximately three points along the upper peripheral surface of the first rod member and the pair of additional rod members, so that the pedestal will be supported by these three members erect, and will be restrained from bending downwardly as when any impacting or excessive force is applied to the surface of the furniture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG.1;

FIG 3 comprises a partial plansectional view of the base construction taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. comprises an end view of part of the base constructionof the invention taken along the line 44 of FIG. I; and I FIG. comprises a partial sectional view of part of the base construction taken along the line 55 of FIG.

' DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In referring to the drawings, and in particular FIG. 1, there is shown a pedestal table having the usual top 1 supported by a centerpost 2, that is fixed upon the base structure 3 of this invention. While the illustration of this invention in the preferred embodiment depicts a table structure, it should be commented that the base construction of this invention may easily be adapted for inclusion in the structure of a chair, coat tree, or any of a variety of various items of furniture or equipment that usuallyincor pora tesone or more pedestals. And, more than one of the base constructions may be used in conjunction with providing support for a table, particularly where the table may be designed having'significant length.

The formationof the basic construction is more accurately disclosed in FIGS. Z through 5, and essentially includes a first elongatedrod member 4 formed having a length sufficient toprovide structural support to the furniture it is designed to stabilizel and inco'rpor'ateson its underside proximate each of its ends bosses 5: that are fastened as by meansof screws 6 to the rod member 4. As is well understood, these'bosses are providedfor stabilization purposesQ that' is tolprov ide "two point contact of such a supporting rod member upon the floor, carpeting, etc.,1anidmay"be constr'ucted'of plastic, nylon, and other forms of resinous material that will not scratch or scarthe-floor or surface uponwhich they rest. The rod member 4 is provided with an aperture 7 disposed transversely through its midpoint, with said aperture being designed to accommodate in reasonably snug fitting a pin 8 that projects "from both ends of the aperature 7 for arrangement laterally of the rod member 4. The rod member 4 is counterbored, as at 9, the same distance inwardly of its surface, with the counter bores being arranged concentrically with the aperture 7. A pair of additional rod members 10 and 11, and preferably having a diameter equivalent to the diameter of the rod member 4, although such is not necessarily essential, insert within the counterbores 9, for close. fitting within the rod member 4, so as to provide struction upon a surface. Each of the additional rod members l0 and 11 includes a hole or bore 13 formed into the end that inserts within the counterbores of the rod .member 4, and is bored to a size that provides for snug fitting of the pin 8 therein, furnishing a means for holding the various rod members together. The pin 8 may be threadedly engaged within the additional rod members 10 and 11, or it may be secured therein by means of any form of adhesive that may be useful for rapidly but firmly securing wood, metal, or plastic type base constructions together. Obviously, the nature of the adhesive for holding such components together depends upon the type of materials employed in forming the components of the base construction of the furniture, and any such corresponding adhesives are readily available from many commercial sources for adhering wood, metal, or plastic parts together.

Arranged upwardly from the aperture 7 provided through the rod member 4 is a second aperture 14, and this aperture is designed to mate with a fastening means, for example, a stud 15, that also may threadedly engage within the downward end of the centerpost 2 of the table. Obviously, other means of fastening of the centerpost to the base construction may be provided, but a threaded stud is shown herein by way of example, and provides an easy means for assembling suchcomponents together. It should be also noted that when the centerpost 2 is firmly secured upon its base construction 3, that it makes contact with and'is retained in contiguity with all of the various rod members forming the base construction, so as to provide full support for maintaining the centerpost erect, obviating any area of weakness in bending moment, and to prevent its bending over as when any excessive force is applied to the table or chair surface. For example, there is a line of contact 16 maintained between the centerpost 2 and the rod member 4, so as to prevent the centerpost from unwarranted movementat least horizontally with respect to the rod member 4, and in addition, said centerpost is maintained in contact with the upward edges .17

' and 18'of the pair of additional rod members 10 and ll respectively so as to prevent anysource of weakness in the resistance to turn of the support of the centerpost 2 with respect to the lateral directions.

Upon reviewing the embodiment of the invention as described herein, it can be seen that the various components for the base construction of this invention may be first plated, coated, painted, or treated in any other manner entirely in the form of a length of stock material, and this stock material is may be then cut to desired lengths to provide a centerpost 2, a rod member 4, and a pair of additional rod members and 11, with each member than being drilled, milled, counterbored, and threaded as required, and then immediately assembled. In this manner the various finished surfaces of the components of this base construction sustain little if any damage during their fabrication or assembly, and usually do not require any further coating as must be done to those items of furniture that necessitate welding of the various components of a base construction together. It can be seen that the additional rod members l0 and 11 snugly insert and conceal most of their mating ends within their respective counterbores 9 of the rod member 4, so that any rough edges of these components 9 are substantially concealed. And furthermore, various types of protective and ornamental end caps may be provided upon the exposed ends of the rod members 4, l0, and 11, so as to conceal any rough surfaces that may remain after their cut.

After reviewing this description of this invention, numerous variations in the formation of the base construction of this invention may occur to those skilled in the art in light of this disclosure. The described embodiment is of the preferred embodiment and is explained for illustration purposes only, and any variations or changes made to this invention and within the scope of the appended claims are intended to be protected under any patent issuing thereon.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a metallic base construction for use in support of a table structure or the like mounted upon at least one centerpost comprising, an elongated rod member having a length sufficient to stabilize in two directions the structure it is designed to support, said rod member having an aperture provided transversely therethrough and approximately at its midpoint, said rod member being counterbored into its sides and concentrically with the formed aperture, a pair of additional rod members, one end of each additional rod members being axially arranged into said counterbores and totally concealing therein their inserted ends, fastening means arranged through said aperture and projecting through the counterbores to secure the pair of rod members when fitted into said counterbores, and fastening means cooperating with the upper surface of at least one of said rod members to secure the centerpost in place.

2. The invention of claim 1 and wherein the rod members are circular in cross section.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein the first rod member and the pair of additional rod members are of equivalent diameters in cross section, and the counterbores are of a cross section to accommodate the insertion of the pair of additional rod members therein.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said rod members are of a noncircular cross section.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said fastening means comprises a pin inserting through said rod member aperture, each pair of additional rod members having a bore provided in the end that inserts into the counterbore, and said pin provided for fastening into said rod member bores to secure said rod member and the additional rod members together.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein said pin threadedly engages into said rod member bores.

7. The invention of claim 5 wherein said pin is adhesively secured into said rod member bores.

8. The invention of claim 1 and wherein said rod member is approximately twice the length of said pair of additional rod members.

9. The invention of claim 1 wherein said rod member at its midpoint includes a second aperture vertically arranged, and said centerpost forming a threaded engagement with said aperture to secure said centerpost to the rod member.

10. The invention of claim 9 wherein said centerpost is provided with a threaded member extending from its downward end and which forms the threaded engagement within the second and vertically arranged aperture of said rod member.

11. The invention of claim 9 wherein the downward end of said centerpost when fastened to the rod member snugly contacts the upper surfaces of said rod member and the pair of additional rod members to stably erect the table structure.

l= l= l= l= l 

1. In a metallic base construction for use in support of a table structure or the like mounted upon at least one centerpost comprising, an elongated rod member having a length sufficient to stabilize in two directions the structure it is designed to support, said rod member having an aperture provided transversely therethrough and approximately at its midpoint, said rod member being counterbored into its sides and concentrically with the formed aperture, a pair of additional rod members, one end of each additional rod members being axially arranged into said counterbores and totally concealing therein their inserted ends, fastening means arranged through said aperture and projecting through the counterbores to secure the pair of rod members when fitted into said counterbores, and fastening means cooperating with the upper surface of at least one of said rod members to secure the centerpost in place.
 2. The invention of claim 1 and wherein the rod members are circular in cross section.
 3. The invention of claim 2 wherein the first rod member and the pair of additional rod members are of equivalent diameters in cross section, and the counterbores are of a cross section to accommodate the insertion of the pair of additional rod members therein.
 4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said rod members are of a noncircular cross section.
 5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said fastening means comprises a pin inserting through said rod member aperture, each pair of additional rod members having a bore provided in the end that inserts into the counterbore, and said pin provided for fastening into said rod member bores to secure said rod member and the additional rod members together.
 6. The invention of claim 5 wherein said pin threadedly engages into said rod member bores.
 7. The invention of claim 5 wherein said pin is adhesively secured into said rod member bores.
 8. The invention of claim 1 and wherein said rod member is approximately twice the length of said pair of additional rod members.
 9. The invention of claim 1 wherein said rod member at its midpoint includes a second aperture vertically arranged, and said centerpost forming a threaded engagement with said aperture to secure said centerpost to the rod member.
 10. The invention of claim 9 wherein said centerpost is provided with a threaded member extending from its downward end and which forms the threaded engagement within the second and vertically arranged aperture of said rod member.
 11. The invention of claim 9 wherein the downward end of said centerpost when fastened to the rod member snugly contacts the upper surfaces of said rod member and the pair of additional rod members to stably erect the table structure. 